Mike Foltynewicz pitches 6-hitter as Braves beat Giants 4-1

SAN FRANCISCO — Mike Foltynewicz has minimal experience pitching in meaningful September games, so saving the Braves bullpen and going the distance as NL East-leading Atlanta gained separation in the division meant so much at this stage.

Foltynewicz pitched a six-hitter to win for the first time in nearly a month, Charlie Culberson hit a two-run homer after entering as an injury replacement and the Braves sent the San Francisco Giants to a 10th straight defeat with a 4-1 win Tuesday night.

"It's just really good to go out there and put up a game like this against these guys in the middle of September," Foltynewicz said. "This is kind of my first time really pitching in September. Just going out there, I felt strong the whole game. It's in the playoff race. Not too many of us are used to that. We're just taking it day by day, pitch by pitch and we're having a lot of fun doing it, too."

Foltynewicz (11-9) retired 13 straight batters after Evan Longoria's two-out double in the first. The right-hander carried a shutout into the ninth before allowing Brandon Crawford's two-out RBI single. Atlanta's starter struck out seven and walked one while finishing with 108 pitches. He was still hitting the high 90s on the radar gun in the late innings.

It marked Foltynewicz's first victory since Aug. 13 against Miami, ending a four-start winless stretch during which he was 0-2 following a three-start winning streak.

Dansby Swanson added an RBI double in the eighth for the Braves, who moved 6 1/2 games ahead of the Phillies in the division.

Ender Inciarte had a sacrifice fly in the fourth then Culberson followed Ronald Acuna Jr.'s leadoff triple in the fifth with his 11th home run. He replaced injured third baseman Johan Camargo, who exited with left groin tightness.

"Charlie's been doing that all year. Somebody goes down, he just steps in and does a great job," manager Brian Snitker said.

The Giants have just their third double-digit losing streak since moving West in 1958 — also in 1985 and 1996 — and sixth since 1908. The club's last 11-game skid was in 1951, when the New York Giants went on to win an NL pennant.

San Francisco held a brief team meeting Tuesday.

"I think they'll get through this and play better the last 16 games. We have to," manager Bruce Bochy said. "We can't get any worse, to be honest, with what's been going on offensively. We have to get some guys to get some big hits for us."

Giants lefty Andrew Suarez (6-11) gave up three runs and six hits in six innings, struck out three and walked three.

SEPT. 11 REMEMBERED

A moment of silence was held before the anthem to remember the victims of Sept. 11, 2001.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: Camargo will sit Wednesday but expects to play Friday back home, though Snitker wants to see him work out first. Camargo said he "didn't feel anything serious" — more like his groin had cramped up after running to first on a fielding error in the third. He was lifted for a pinch-runner as a precaution. ... RHP Arodys Vizcaino (right shoulder inflammation) is scheduled to join the team Friday back home and come off the disabled list. ... Snitker will have a well-rested bullpen Wednesday after using just three relievers for an inning each during Monday's 4-1 win.

Giants: 1B Brandon Belt may need offseason surgery on his right knee, something that is being discussed, though as of now the plan is for him to finish out the season. While he pinch hit in the eighth, he wasn't in the lineup as Bochy said, "Belt is sore to a point where he needs a day today." Belt had been in the original lineup and is expected to play Wednesday afternoon's series finale. ... INF Ryder Jones is scheduled for surgery on the patellar tendon in his left knee Wednesday and expects to be ready for spring training. He was hurt on a swing during Sunday's game in Milwaukee.

UP NEXT

Braves: RHP Anibal Sanchez (6-5, 3.09 ERA) tries for his first win in seven starts — he's 0-2 during that span — since beating the Mets on Aug. 3.

Giants: LHP Derek Holland (7-8, 3.54) faces the Braves for just the second time in his career and first in exactly four years, since Sept. 12, 2014.